Signal



R. J. RUTHS Nov. 8, 1932.

SIGNAL Filed May 10, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNvENToR ,9055er J Eu THS ATTORNEY Nov. 8, 1932. R. J. RUTHs 1,836,980

- SIGNAL Filed May 10. 1932' 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I 5, wf l k 46 @ogg/27T? Eur-H5 2l E l E: 5- BY @am ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 8,' 1932 UNITED STATES ROBERT '-T. BUTHS, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND SIGNAL Application Med Hay 10, 1932. Serial No. 810,404.

(GRANTED UNDER. THE ACT F MARCH 3, 1883, AS AMENDED AIRIL 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) My invention relates broadly to a signal and more particularly to a time controlled signal of the type usu/ally provided at street intersections.

In the use of such signals difficulties have heretofore been experienced due to the Want of a means to indicate the interval' of time that a given signal light has continued its signaling function, making it difficult for a pedestrian or a driver of avehicle to determine whether or not it will be safe to enter an intersection While his right-ofway signal light remains lighted. Particularly is this t-rue if the light has been on display for any considerable interval of time before the attempt to enter the intersection has begun. Foot travellers, especially, find -it very embarrassing and are oftensubjected to the danger of meeting with bodily harm on enterin an intersection on a right-of-Way signal on y to have that signal change when they have traversed the intersection but partially with the result that they are left unprotected in the changing traffic stream.

The change from red to green and vice versa is in some instances indicated by an intermediate amber light to give warning that a `change from one signal color to the other is imminent. With a view to get under 3o way as quickly as possible it has become the common practice for the stopped line of traffic t0 start as soon .as the intermediate Signal becomes lighted without Waiting for the signal giving right of wav. The consequence of this practice is that frequently the last of the traffic that has the right of Way and which-is crossing the intersection when the change in signal color is made is cut-off' or hindered in its passage by the oncoming cross 40A traffic which started on the amber light instead of waiting for the right-of-Way signal.

Also in the type of signal in general use to-day there are a number of electric bulbs,

Yone for each direction of traffic flow. It has been experienced that should any one of them become inoperative from any cause, the signal on that side Will not function, but the other. sides will continue to operate in their usual and expected manner. Hence, ,with no signal on one side, traffic will endeavor to proceed and get into the traffic flow that has the right of Way causing much confusion and the blocky ing of traffic in all directions.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a signal of the character" described that will indicate to pedestrians and'vehicular traffic the interval of time that it may be expected to remain on display so that such traffic may enter an intersection with yreasonable certainty of its ability to completely traverse the intersection before a change in traffic flow occurs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a signal having a centralized source of illumination so that should any unforseen accident occur to the source, the signal in all directions Will remain dark.

A further object of the invention is to provide a signal that readily lends itself to timing or re-timing to meet changing conditions and which when synchronized with other signals in series will constantly operate in any desired sequence Without departure from predetermined time intervals of signal indications.

In addition to the use of the present invention as a traffic control signal, it may be employed as a means for indicating an interval of time for movements tofbe executed in setting-up and other exercises when the person eXecutlng the movements is at a point remote from the director and is unable to see or hear his commands.

The signal may be used also to indicate the accurate time interval between firing of 85 guns, as in salutes and other cememonies as practiced aboard naval vessels, land batteries, and the like.

With the above and other objects in View the invention consists in the construction,

combination and arrangement of part/s as will be described more fully hereinafter'.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification in which like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which Fig. 1 is a front View artly in section of a timed signal lamp em odyingmy invention,

Fig. 2 is a front view of the color screen Shutter and operating mechanism therefor,

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a front view of one of the signal light compartments with the face removed,

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1, and

Fi 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the light ray conducting channels employed in my invention.

In its more detailed nature the invention resides in the provision of a light having the usual red and green signals representing stop and go, and mechanical means eiiective during the intervals of each of the two colors for a clear light to traverse the periphery of the face of the signal light to 1ndicate the portion of the time interval that has elapsed, or still remains, since the color has changed or will change.

In its adaptation the invention embodies a central or body portion 10 that forms the principal part of the signal lamp and in or on which the elements that permit of a change in color to cont-rol traiiic are mounted, or to function as time signals for other purposes, among which are those mentioned; a top that is composed of a member 11 that serves as a protective means for the body portion, and a member 12 that serves as an audible signal, as will be explained hereinafter; and a bottom portion 13`that diffuses a clear light over a desired area beneath the signal lamp.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 14 indicates a rectangular hollow column that accommodates a central source of illumination, such as the electric lamp 15. The lamp is supported by a demountable bracket 16 that is suspended from the upper member 12 of the top by a hollow screw 17 through which the electric conductors 18 pass. As a means for angularly adjusting the lamp I provide screws 19 that are mounted through a removable plate 20. The plate is removable so that access may be had to the lamp for replacement when the need requires. Flanking each side of the column 14 there is a compartment 21. Each/fof these compartments is provided with a diffusing lens 22 (Fig. 3) through which the light rays from the source of illumination pass to a shutter 23. The shutter is bi-colored, one portion being green and the other red, and is arranged to swing in front of the lens 22 to cast rays of colored light at predetermined intervals of time. It is actuated by a gear 24 provided with peripheral teeth 25 that engage with bevel gear 26 driven by motor 27 through shaft 28 and gear 29, it being understood that the motor is connected to any desirable source-of energy. The gears 24 are intermeshed, as may be seen in Fig. 5. Each is provided with an internal band 30 having teeth 31 throughout only a small portion of its circumference (Fig. 2) that once in each revolution of the gear 24 engage with and turn gear 32, the teeth of which are interrupted as shown. Hence, each revolution of gear 24 causes gear 32 to rotate only half a revolution. Pin 33 extending from the gear 32 is thus caused to circumscribe a semicircle for each half revolution of gear 24 carrying arm 34 with it. This arm has its axis around the lens casing 35 and'then continues as the portion 36, to the upper end of which one terminal 37 of spring 38 is connected. This portion of the arm is provided with a slot 39 in which the pivot pin 40 for the shutter 23 engages, and the arm 34 is provided with a slot 41 in which pin 33 slides when;-

gear 32 is turning. The other terminal 42 of the spring is pivotally connected to the shutter 23.

The shutter 23, as before stated, is adapted to swing in front of the lens and is actuated by the spring 38. When the arm 36 pulls the terminal 37 of the spring past the dead center of the shutter, it snaps the shutter to its new position. The shutter swings about the pivotpin 40 that is attached to the base 43, which in turn is held fixed by the fastening elements 44, which also hold the face ring 45 in position. 46 are buffers that are mounted between pins 47 to take up the shock when the shutter is suddenly snapped from one position to the other. One end of each ot the buffers is loosely looped about a pin to permit suiicient slippage'to gradually take up the shock of impact of the shutter against the buffer.

As before stated, I provide a means to indicate the time interval that remains before the signal color changes from green to red or Vred to green in order that knowledge ma be communicated to traffic as to the probabi ity of traversing the intersection with safety before the change in traiiic low is effected. This indication is a clear light which progressively moves around the circumference of the face 48 of the signal light. The clear light is projected through an aperture 49 in the gear 24, which, as it is rotated, permits the light rays to be progressively admitted through a circumferential opening 5() in the wall of the column 14, whence they pass through channels 51 and cast a moving light the compartments to diffuse the light rays onto the glass face 48.

At the same time that spring 38 snaps the shutter from one position to the other, a cam 55 on the rear side of gear 24 engages with and raises rod 56 that passes through guide 57 held in place by a bracket 58 punched out of the material composing the wall of column 14. It will be understood, however, that other means of guiding the rod 56 may be provided. The upper end of the rod engages with a notched arm 59 pivoted about an axis l 60 and which is provided at its other end with a clapper 61. As the cam pushes the rod up, it raises the notched end of the arm 59 until it slips from the notch permitting spring 62 to pull down that end of the arm forcing the clapper to forcibly strike member 12 giving an audible warning that the color of the signal light has changed. In some communities, such as residential districts and zones of quiet, a bell signal may be objectionable, in which event a whistle of subdued and harmonious tone can be substituted without destroying the utility of the invention. The rod 56 is provided intermediate its ends with a loop 63 to which one end of a spring 64 is attached, the other end of the spring being secured to a suitable part of the framework of the signal lamp. This spring restores the rod to a position in which it will again be engaged by the cam during the next revolution of the gear 24.

On the under side of the signal lamp I have provided a series of stepped glasses of clear glass that cast a white light over a considerable area ust below the signal lamp. This illuminated area may be used for a safety zone for a traic control director, if one is needed, and as a zone on the outside of which traffic is expected to move in making turns.

It will be understood that the above description and accompanying drawings comprehend only the general and preferred embodiment of m invention and that various changes in details of construction, proportion and arrangement of parts may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims without sacriiicing any of the advantages of the invention.

The invention described lherein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalty thereon.

What I claim as new is- 1. In 'a signal, in combination, a plurality of compartments, a. source of illumination common to all compartments, means for varying the color of the light rays emanating from the source, means for actuating the color varying means, means producing a clear light that moves progressively around the peripheryof each compartment, and a prime mover.

2. In a signal, in combination, a plurality of compartments, a source of illumination common to all compartments, means for varying the color of the li ht rays emanating from the source, means or imparting a snap action to the first said means, means producing a clear light that moves prcgresively around the -periphery of each compartment, and a prime mover.

3. In a signal, in combination, a plurality of compartments, a source of illumination common to all compartments, a swinging bicolored shutter for varying the color of the light rays emanating from the source, means for moving the position of the pivot point of the swing of the shutter, means for snapping the shutter to a new position when the pivot point has passed the center line of the shutter, means producing a clear light that moves around the face of each compartment, and a prime mover.

4. In a signal, in combination, a plurality of compartments, a source of illumination common to all compartments, a series of angularly intermeshed gears, each of said gears being provided with an opening aligningy with a circumferential opening in the walls of the compartments, means for imparting motion to said gears, an interior segmental rack on each of said gears, a swinging multicolored shutter, an interrupted gear engaging with said rack to move the point of swing of the shutter, and independent means for snapping the shutter to a new position when the point of swing has passed the center line of the shutter.

5. In a time controlled traic. signal, in

rection indicating means, and means operable by said gears to produce an audible signal simultaneously with a change in traiiic flow.

7. In a traf'c signal, in combination, a centralized source of illumination, signal members extending in each direction of traiiic fiow, means changing the color of light projection through the signal members, means producing a clear light that moves around the signal members, means producing an audible i signal with each change in color, and means casting a clear light beneath the traiiic signal.

8. In a traiiic signal, in combination, a centralized source of illumination, a plurality of compartments, means for varying the color 4of the light emanating from the source, a plurality of channels in each compartment, means producing a clear light that progressively enters the channels, and a prime mover.

9. In a signal, in combination, a source of illumination, Windows through which rays of light from the source are projected, means changngthe color of the rays of light at 5 regular intervals, and means' producing a clear, unbroken light that moves around the Windows to indicate the elapsed time since a change in the color of the li ht ray.

l0. In a tralic signal, trac flow controlling means of alternately changed colors, and means producing a clear, uninterrupted light that moves around each of said controlling means to indicate the time elapsed since a change in the color of said controlling means.

ROBERT J. RUTHS. 

